Optical recording medium and process for recording thereupon

ABSTRACT

An optical recording medium comprising a substrate and a thin organic film containing at least one kind of dye selected from polymethine family dyes, perylium family dyes, and cyanine family dyes, and a recording process comprising scanning the optical recording medium with a high intensity light beam such as a laser beam to form optically detectable pits on the recording medium.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 378,491, filed July 11, 1989, now abandoned, which, in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No. 053,563, filed May 21, 1987, now abandoned, which in turn, is a continuation of application Ser. No. 756,570, filed July 18, 1985, now abandoned, which, in turn, is a continuation of application Ser. No. 481,741, filed Apr. 4, 1983, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an optical recording medium suited for writing a record with a laser, especially with a semiconductor laser, and more particularly to an improved optical recording medium used in the art of optical disk.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The optical disk comprises generally a circular substrate overlaid with a thin recording layer, on which high density information can be stored in the form of spiral or circular track of minute, optically detectable pits (e.g. about 1 μ size). For writing information on such a disk, a laser-responsive layer, i.e. the thin recording layer, is scanned spirally or circularly with a convergent laser beam to form pits on the track of the scanning laser beam. The laser-responsive layer can form optically detectable pits by absorbing laser energy. In a heat mode recording system, for instance, the laser-responsive layer can absorb thermal energy of a laser beam and form minute pits at irradiated spots through evaporation or melting. In another heat mode recording system, pits having an optically detectable difference of optical density can be formed on spots wherein laser energy is absorbed.

The information recorded on the optical disk can be scanned along the track of pits with a laser to read out optical variations due to the presence and absence of pit. For instance, the energy of the reading laser reflected from the disk is monitored with a photodetector. When falling on the pit-free area, an output of the photodetector is lowered. On the contrary, when irradiating a pit, the laser is adequately reflected from an underlying reflecting surface, giving a high photodetector output.

In the past, various films were proposed as recording media to be used for these optical disks. Such films are chiefly inorganic materials including thin films of metals such as vacuum-deposited aluminum, thin films of bismuth and of tellurium oxide, and amorphous glass films of chalcogenite group. Generally, these films are responsive to rays of about 350-800 nm in wavelength and have high reflectance for laser beams, thus involving drawbacks such as a low efficiency of laser energy utilization.

For this reason and others, extensive studies have been made in recent years on organic thin films capable of altering some optical properties by irradiation with relatively long wavelength light (longer than about 780 nm). Such organic thin films are effective in that pits can be formed therein by means of a semiconductor laser of wavelength, for example, around 830 nm.

However, organic compounds having absorption maxima in a longer wavelength region are generally unstable to heat and additionally have some technical difficulties with respect to their sublimation property. Such being the case, it cannot be said that an organic thin film satisfactory in performance characteristics has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an optical recording medium and a process for making a record thereupon, said recording medium having an organic thin film capable of absorbing rays of longer wavelengths.

Another object of this invention is to provide an optical recording medium and a process for making a record thereupon, said recording medium having an organic thin film stable to heat.

These objects of this invention can be achieved with an optical recording medium comprising a substrate and an organic thin film containing at least one of the compounds severally represented by the following formulae (1)-(10). Formula (1) ##STR1##

In Formula (1), R₁₁ and R₁₂ each represent alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl; Z₁₁ and Z₁₂ each represent a nonmetal atomic group necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring; a and b are each 0 or 1; M.sup.⊕ represents a cation; and X.sup.⊖ represents an anion. Formula (2) ##STR2##

In Formula (2), R₁₁ and R₁₂ each represent alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl; Z₁₁ and Z₁₂ each represent a nonmetal atomic group necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring; and a and b are each 0 or 1. Formula (3) ##STR3##

In formula (3), Z₃₂ represents sulfur, oxygen, or selenium;

Z₃₁ represents a hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a pyrylium, thiapyrylium, selenopyrylium, benzopyrylium, benzothiapyrylium, benzoselenopyrylium, naphthopyrylium, naphthothiapyrylium, or naphthoselenopyrylium ring which may be substituted or not;

R₃₁ and R₃₂ each represent hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or styryl residue;

R₃₃ represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heterocyclic residue;

R₃₄ and R₃₅ each represent hydrogen or alkyl;

X.sup.⊖ represents an anion;

d is 1 or 2;

e is 0, 1, or 2; wherein, when e is 2, the two R₃₄ are the same or different and the two R₃₅ are the same or different. Formula (4) ##STR4##

In Formula (4), Z₄₃ and Z₄₄ each represent sulfur oxygen, or selenium;

Z₄₁ represents a hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a pyrylium, thiapyrylium, selenapyrylium, benzopyrylium, benzothiapyrylium, benzoselenapyrylium, naphthopyrylium, naphthothiapyrylium, or naphthoselenapyrylium ring which may be substituted or not;

Z₄₂ represents a hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a pyrane, thiapyrane, selenapyrane, benzopyrane, benzothiapyrane, benzoselenapyrane, naphthopyrane, naphthothiapyrane, or naphthiaselenapyrane ring which may be substituted or not;

R₄₁, R₄₂, R₄₃, and R₄₄ each represent hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl residue;

R₄₅, R₄₆, and R₄₇ each represent hydrogen, halogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl residue;

X⁶³ represents an anion;

f and h are each 1 or 2; and

g is 0, 1, or 2; wherein, when g is 2, the two R₄₅ the same or different and the two R₄₆ are the same or different. Formula (5) ##STR5##

In Formula (5), A, B, D, and E each represent aryl or substituted aryl;

R₅₁, R₅₂, R₅₃, R₅₄, and R₅₅ each represent hydrogen, halogen, or alkyl;

Y represents a divalent residue necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring; and

X⁶³ represents an anion. Formula (6) ##STR6##

In Formula (6), R₆₁, R₆₂, R₆₃, R₆₄, and R₆₅ each represent hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, styryl, substituted styryl, heterocyclic, or substituted heterocyclic residue;

X⁶³ represents an anion;

i is 0, or 1; and

j is 0, 1, or 2. Formula (7) ##STR7##

In Formula (7), Z₇₁ and Z₇₂ each represent an atomic group necessary to complete a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring substituted or unsubstituted;

A₁ and A₂ each represent a divalent hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered ring;

R₇₁ and R₇₂ each represent hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, or substituted aralkyl;

R₇₃ and R₇₄ each represent hydrogen or halogen;

X⁶³ represents an anion;

k and m are each 0 or 1; and

l is 1 or 2. Formula (8) ##STR8##

In Formula (8), Z₈₁ and Z₈₂ each represent an atomic group necessary to complete a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring substituted or unsubstituted;

Z₈₃ represents a divalent hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring;

R₈₁ and R₈₂ each represent hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, or substituted aralkyl;

Q represents oxygen, sulfur, imino, substituted imino, or an organic divalent residue;

s, t, and r are each 0 or 1; and

p and q are each 0, 1, or 2. Formula (9) ##STR9##

In Formula (9), A.sup.⊖₃ represents ##STR10## or ##STR11##

Z₉₃ and Z₉₄ each represent sulfur, oxygen, or selenium;

Z₉₁ represents an atomic group necessary to complete a pyrylium, thiapyrylium, selenapyrylium, benzopyrylium, benzothiapyrylium, benzoselenapyrylium, naphthopyrylium, naphthothiapyrylium, or naphthoselenapyrylium ring which may be substituted or not;

Z₉₂ represents an atomic group necessary to complete a pyrane, thiapyrane, selenapyrane, benzopyrane, benzothiapyrane, benzoselenapyrane, naphthopyrane, naphthothiapyrane, or naphthoselenapyrane ring which may be substituted or not;

R₉₁, R₉₂, R₉₃, and R₉₄ each represent hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, styryl, 4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl, or heterocyclic residue, where R₉₁ coupled with R₉₂ and R₉₃ coupled with R₉₄ can form each a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring; and

v and w are each 1 or 2. Formula (10) ##STR12##

In Formula (10), R₂₁ and R₂₂ represent each alkyl, or R₂₁ and R₂₂ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a ring; and

R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, and R₂₆ each represent hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, or hydroxyl, where combinations of R₂₃ and R₂₄ and combinations of R₂₅ and R₂₆ can form each a benzene ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are absorption spectra of Compound Nos. I-(29) and IX-(1), respectively. FIG. 3 is an absorption spectrum of Compound No. VIII-(7) covering visible and infrared ray wavelength regions.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of optical recording media of this invention. FIG. 6 is an illustration showing an embodiment of the process for making a record on the optical recording medium of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The optical recording medium of this invention is characterized by having an organic thin film that contains at least one of the dyes severally represented by the foregoing general formulae (1)-(10).

Referring to these formulae, the symbols therein are illustrated below in detail together with examples of the dyes represented by the formulae.

R₁₁ and R₁₂ in Formulae (1) and (2) each represent alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-amyl, t-amyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, or t-octyl), substituted alkyl (e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 2-acetoxyethyl, carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, 3-carboxypropyl, 2-sulfoethyl, 3-sulfopropyl, 4-sulfobutyl, 3-sulfatepropyl, 4-sulfatebutyl, N-(methylsulfonyl)-carbamylmethyl, 3-(acetylsulfamyl) propyl, or 4-(acetylsulfamyl)butyl], cyclic alkyl (e.g. cyclohexyl), alkenyl [e.g. allyl (CH₂ ═CH--CH₂ --)), aralkyl (e.g. benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, α-naphthylmethyl, or β-naphthylmethyl), substituted aralkyl (e.g. carboxybenzyl, sulfobenzyl, or hydroxybenzyl), aryl (e.g. phenyl) or substituted aryl (e.g. carboxyphenyl, sulfophenyl, or hydroxyphenyl). Of these organic residues, hydrophobic ones are particularly preferable in this invention.

Z₁₁ and Z₁₂ each represent a nonmetal atomic group necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring such as a thiazole family ring (e.g. thiazole, 4-methylthiazole, 4-phenylthiazole, 5-methylthiazole, 5-phenylthiazole, 4,5-dimethylthiazole, 4,5-diphenylthiazole, or 4-(2-thienyl)thiazole), benzothiazole family ring (e.g. benzothiazole, 5- chlorobenzothiazole, 5-methylbenzothiazole, 6-methylbenzothiazole, 5,6-dimethylbenzothiazole, 5-bromobenzothiazole, 5-phenylbenzothiazole, 5-methoxybenzothiazole, 6-methoxybenzothiazole, 5,6-dimethoxybenzothiazole, 5,6-di(hydroxymethyl)benzothiazole, 5-hydroxybenzothiazole, 6-hydroxybenzothiazole, or 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole), naphthothiazole family ring (e.g. naphtho(2,1-d)thiazole, naphtho(1,2-d)thiazole, 5-methoxynaphtho(1,2-d)thiazole, 5-ethoxynaphtho(1,2-d)thiazole, 8-methoxynaphtho(2,1-d)thiazole, or 7-methoxynaphtho(2,1-d)thiazole), thionaphthene(7,6-d)thiazole family ring (e.g. 7-methoxythionaphthene(7,6-d)thiazole), oxazole family ring (e.g. 4-methyloxazole, 5-methyloxazole, 4-phenyloxazole, 4,5-diphenyloxazole, 4-ethyloxazole, 4,5-dimethyloxazole, or 5-phenyloxazole), benzoxazole family ring (e.g. benzoxazole, 5-chlorobenzoxazole, 5-methylbenzoxazole, 5-phenylbenzoxazole, 6-methylbenzoxazole, 5-6-dimethylbenzoxazole, 5-methoxybenzoxazole, 6-methoxybenzoxazole, 5-hydroxybenzoxazole, or 6-hydroxybenzoxazole), naphthoxazole family ring (e.g. naphtho(2,1-d)oxazole or naphtho(1,2-d)oxazole), selenazole family ring (e.g. 4-methylselenazole or 4-phenylselenazole), benzoselenazole family ring (e.g. benzoselenazole, 5-chlorobenzoselenazole, 5-methylbenzoselenazole, 5,6-dimethylbenzoselenazole, 5-methoxybenzoselenazole, 5-methyl-6-methoxybenzoselenazole, 5,6-di(hydroxymethyl)benzoselenazole, 5-hydroxybenzoselenazole, or 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzoselenazole), naphthoselenazole family ring [e.g. naphtho(2,1-d) selenazole or naphtho(1,2-d)selenazole], thiazoline family ring (e.g. thiazoline, 4-methylthiazoline, 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methylthiazoline, or 4,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)thiazoline), oxazoline family ring (e.g. oxazoline), selenazoline family ring (e.g. selenazoline), 2-quinolyl family ring (e.g. quinoline, 6-methylquinoline, 6-chloroquinoline, 6-methoxyquinoline, 6-ethoxyquinoline, or 6-hydroxyquinoline), 4-quinolyl family ring (e.g. quinoline, 6-methoxyquinoline, 7-methylquinoline, or 8-methylquinoline), 1-isoquinolyl family ring (e.g. isoquinoline or 3,4-dihydroxyisoquinoline), 3-isoquinolyl family ring (e.g. isoquinoline), 3,3-dialkylindolenine family ring (e.g. 3,3-dimethylindolenine, 3,3-dimethyl-5-chloroindolenine, 3,3,5- trimethylindolenine, or 3,3,7-trimethylindolenine), pyridine family ring (e.g. pyridine or 5-methylpyridine), or benzimidazole family ring (e.g. 1-ethyl-5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole, 1-hydroxyethyl5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-chlorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-dibromobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-phenylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-fluorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-(β-acetoxyethyl)-5-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-chloro-6-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-fluoro-6-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-acetylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-carboxybenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-ethoxycarbonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-sulfamylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-N-ethylsulfamylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-difluorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-dicyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-ethylsulfonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-methylsulfonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylsulfonylbenzimidazole, or 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylsulfinylbenzimidazole).

In Formulae (1) and (2), a and b are each 0 or 1.

In Formula (1), X⁶³ represents an anion (e.g. chloride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, or propylsulfate anion). However, X⁶³ is not contained in the formula when R₁₁ and/or R₁₂ itself has an anion (e.g. -SO₃.sup.⊖, --OSO₃.sup.⊖, --COO.sup.⊖, --HNSO₂.sup.⊖, --SO₂ --N.sup.⊖ --CO--, or --SO₂ --N.sup.⊖ --SO₂ --). M.sup.⊕ represents a cation (e.g. proton, sodium ion, ammonium ion, potassium ion, or pyridinium ion).

Among the croconic methine dyes represented by Formula (1) or (2), preferred ones are enumerated below. For convenience, structural formulae thereof are expressed in betaine form, though these dyes are generally obtained and used, as mixtures of betaine and salt forms.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Croconi methine dyes                                                           Compound No.                                                                              Chemical Formula                                                    __________________________________________________________________________     I-(1)                                                                                      ##STR13##                                                          I-(2)                                                                                      ##STR14##                                                          I-(3)                                                                                      ##STR15##                                                          I-(4)                                                                                      ##STR16##                                                          I-(5)                                                                                      ##STR17##                                                          I-(6)                                                                                      ##STR18##                                                          I-(7)                                                                                      ##STR19##                                                          I-(8)                                                                                      ##STR20##                                                          I-(9)                                                                                      ##STR21##                                                          I-(10)                                                                                     ##STR22##                                                          I-(11)                                                                                     ##STR23##                                                          I-(12)                                                                                     ##STR24##                                                          I-(13)                                                                                     ##STR25##                                                          I-(14)                                                                                     ##STR26##                                                          I-(15)                                                                                     ##STR27##                                                          I-(16)                                                                                     ##STR28##                                                          I-(17)                                                                                     ##STR29##                                                          I-(18)                                                                                     ##STR30##                                                          I-(19)                                                                                     ##STR31##                                                          I-(20)                                                                                     ##STR32##                                                          I-(21)                                                                                     ##STR33##                                                          I-(22)                                                                                     ##STR34##                                                          I-(23)                                                                                     ##STR35##                                                          I-(24)                                                                                     ##STR36##                                                          I-(25)                                                                                     ##STR37##                                                          I-(26)                                                                                     ##STR38##                                                          I-(27)                                                                                     ##STR39##                                                          I-(28)                                                                                     ##STR40##                                                          I-(29)                                                                                     ##STR41##                                                          I-(30)                                                                                     ##STR42##                                                          I-(31)                                                                                     ##STR43##                                                          I-(32)                                                                                     ##STR44##                                                          I-(33)                                                                                     ##STR45##                                                          I-(34)                                                                                     ##STR46##                                                          __________________________________________________________________________

The dyes can be used in this invention separately or in combination.

As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 41061/1976, these croconic methine dyes can be prepared, for instance, by condensation of croconic acid or its derivative (e.g. mono- or dialkyl croconate) with 2-methyl-cyclo quaternary ammonium salt, which is well known in the chemistry of cyanine dyes, or with the 2-methylene base corresponding thereto.

The preparation of a typical croconic methine dye used in this invention is illustrated by the following Preparation Example:

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 1 [Synthesis of the above-cited compound No. I-(29)]

A mixture of 1.20 g (0.00845 mole) of croconic acid, 5.06 g (0.0169 mole) of quinaldine ethiodide, and 50 ml of n-butanol was heated up to 110° C., and, by adding 4 ml of pyridine, was reacted at 110°-116° C. for 10 minutes. After addition of 4 ml of triethylamine and stirring at the same temperature for 5 minutes, the mixture was allowed to stand to precipitate a dye, which was then filtered off, washed with n-butanol and successively with tetrahydrofuran, and dried under reduced pressure. Thus, 2.1 g (yield 55%) of a purified dye was obtained. The absorption spectrum of this dye in dimethylsulfoxide is shown in FIG. 1 (λ max=845 nm).

In Formula (3), Z₃₂ represents sulfur, oxygen, or selenium, and Z₃₁ represents a hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a pyrylium, thiapyrylium, selenapyrylium, benzopyrylium, benzothiapyrylium, benzoselenapyrylium, naphthopyrylium, naphthothiapyrylium, or naphthoselenapyrylium ring which may be substituted or not. Suitable substituents on the ring include halogens such as chlorine, bromine, and fluorine; alkyls such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, and dodecyl; aryls such as phenyl, α-naphthyl, and β-naphthyl; substituted aryls such as tolyl, xylyl, biphenyl, ethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, amyloxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, diethoxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, nitrophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, and dibenzylaminophenyl; styryl; and substituted styryls such as chlorostyryl, dimethylaminostyryl, diethylaminostyryl, dipropylaminostyryl, dibutylaminostyryl, dibenzylaminostyryl, diphenylaminostyryl, methoxystyryl, and ethoxystyryl.

R₃₁ and R₃₂ each represent hydrogen; alkyl particularly a C₁ -C₁₅ alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, or dodecyl); aryl (e.g. phenyl, α-naphthyl, or β-naphthyl); substituted aryl (e.g. tolyl, xylyl, biphenyl, ethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, amyloxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, diethoxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, nitrophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, or dibenzylaminophenyl); styryl; or substituted styryl (e.g. chlorostyryl, dichlorostyryl, methylstyryl, dimethylstyryl, methoxystyryl, ethoxystyryl, dimethylaminostyryl, diethylaminostyryl, dipropylaminostyryl, dibutylaminostyryl, dibenzylaminostyryl, or diphenylaminostyryl).

R₃₃ represents substituted or unsubstituted aryl (e.g. phenyl, α-naphthyl, β-naphthyl, tolyl, xylyl, biphenyl, ethylphenyl, diethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, trimethoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, diethoxyphenyl, amyloxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, trichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, tribromophenyl, nitrophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dibenzylaminophenyl, or diphenylaminophenyl), or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic residue (e.g. 3-carbazolyl, 9-methyl-3-carbazolyl, 9-ethyl-3-carbazolyl, 7-nitro-9-ethyl-3-carbazolyl, 2-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-quinolyl, 4-quinolyl, 3-indolyl, 2-phenyl-3-indolyl, or 1-methyl-2-phenyl-3-indolyl).

R₃₄ and R₃₅ each represent hydrogen or alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, or nonyl). The letter d is 1 or 2 and e is 0, 1, or 2.

When e is 2, the two R₃₄ are the same or different and the two R₃₅ are the same or different. X⁶³ represents an anion (e.g. perchlorate, fluoroborate, iodide, chloride, bromide, sulfate, periodate, or p-toluenesulfonate anion).

Typical pyrylium dyes represented by Formula (3) are as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     Compound No.                                                                           Chemical Formula                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     II-(1)                                                                                  ##STR47##                                                             II-(2)                                                                                  ##STR48##                                                             II-(3)                                                                                  ##STR49##                                                             II-(4)                                                                                  ##STR50##                                                             II-(5)                                                                                  ##STR51##                                                             II-(6)                                                                                  ##STR52##                                                             II-(7)                                                                                  ##STR53##                                                             II-(8)                                                                                  ##STR54##                                                             II-(9)                                                                                  ##STR55##                                                             II-(10)                                                                                 ##STR56##                                                             II-(11)                                                                                 ##STR57##                                                             II-(12)                                                                                 ##STR58##                                                             II-(13)                                                                                 ##STR59##                                                             II-(14)                                                                                 ##STR60##                                                             II-(15)                                                                                 ##STR61##                                                             II-(16)                                                                                 ##STR62##                                                             II-(17)                                                                                 ##STR63##                                                             II-(18)                                                                                 ##STR64##                                                             II-(19)                                                                                 ##STR65##                                                             II-(20)                                                                                 ##STR66##                                                             II-(21)                                                                                 ##STR67##                                                             II-(22)                                                                                 ##STR68##                                                             II-(23)                                                                                 ##STR69##                                                             II-(24)                                                                                 ##STR70##                                                             II-(25)                                                                                 ##STR71##                                                             II-(26)                                                                                 ##STR72##                                                             II-(27)                                                                                 ##STR73##                                                             II-(28)                                                                                 ##STR74##                                                             II-(29)                                                                                 ##STR75##                                                             II-(30)                                                                                 ##STR76##                                                             II-(31)                                                                                 ##STR77##                                                             II-(32)                                                                                 ##STR78##                                                             II-(33)                                                                                 ##STR79##                                                             II-(34)                                                                                 ##STR80##                                                             II-(35)                                                                                 ##STR81##                                                             II-(36)                                                                                 ##STR82##                                                             II-(37)                                                                                 ##STR83##                                                             II-(38)                                                                                 ##STR84##                                                             II-(39)                                                                                 ##STR85##                                                             II-(40)                                                                                 ##STR86##                                                             II-(41)                                                                                 ##STR87##                                                             II-(42)                                                                                 ##STR88##                                                             II-(43)                                                                                 ##STR89##                                                             II-(44)                                                                                 ##STR90##                                                             II-(45)                                                                                 ##STR91##                                                             II-(46)                                                                                 ##STR92##                                                             II-(47)                                                                                 ##STR93##                                                             II-(48)                                                                                 ##STR94##                                                             II-(49)                                                                                 ##STR95##                                                             II-(50)                                                                                 ##STR96##                                                             II-(51)                                                                                 ##STR97##                                                             II-(52)                                                                                 ##STR98##                                                             II-(53)                                                                                 ##STR99##                                                             II-(54)                                                                                 ##STR100##                                                            II-(55)                                                                                 ##STR101##                                                            __________________________________________________________________________

Pyrylium dyes of this invention can be obtained by reacting, for example, a salt of 2,6-diphenyl-4-methyl-thiapyrylium with 4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde. This reaction can be conducted in the presence of an amine or in a carboxylic acid anhydride. i) Reaction in the presence of amine: Though various solvents are acceptable for this reaction, suitable ones are alcohols such as ethanol, nitriles such as acetonitrile, ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, nitro compounds such as nitrobenzene, halogenated hydrocarbons such as tetrachloroethane, etc., preferred ones of which are alcohols such as ethanol.

Suitable amines in this case are primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl amines having 1-25 carbon atoms, such as piperidine, triethylamine, and hexylamine; aromatic amines having 6-25 carbon atoms, such as aniline and dimethylaniline; and nitrogen-containing unsaturated heterocyclic compounds such as pyridine and quinoline.

The amount of amine used ranges from 0.1 to 10 moles, preferably from 0.5 to 2 moles, per mole of the thiapyrylium salt. Sometimes, the amine is used in large excess also as a solvent. The reaction is carried out for 30 minutes-10 hours, preferably for 1-3 hours, at temperatures of about 50° C. to about the reflux temperature of the amine or the solvent, preferably at temperatures around the reflux temperature. The amount of the solvent ranges from 1 to 100 ml, preferably from 3 to 10 ml, for 1 g of the salt of 2,6-diphenyl-4-methylthiapyrylium. ii) Reaction in carboxylic acid anhydride: The amount of carboxylic acid anhydride, for example in the case of acetic anhydride, ranges from 1 to 20 ml, preferably from 2 to 10 ml, for 1 g of the salt of 2,6-diphenyl-4-methylthiapyrylium. The reaction is carried out for 1 minute to 1 hour, preferably for 3 to 20 minutes, at temperatures of about 80° C. to about the reflux temperature of the acid anhydride (140° C. in the case of acetic anhydride), preferably at about 100° C.

Preparation examples are given below referring to typical pyrylium salts used in this invention.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 2 [Synthesis of a pyrylium: the above-cited compound No. II-(45)]

A mixture of 5.0 g of 2,6-diphenyl-4-methylpyrylium perchlorate and 3.7 g of 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde was heated in 140 ml of acetic anhydride at 95° C. for 20 minutes. The mixture was left to cool, and the precipitate obtained by filtration was recrystallized from a 1:1 acetic acid-acetic anhydride mixture, thus giving 1.8 g of a dye; m. p. 271°-272° C.

Analysis for C₂₇ H₂₄ O₅ NCl:

Calcd (%); C 67.85, H 5.07, N 2.93,

Found (%); C 68.01, H 5.11, N 2.88.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 3 [Synthesis of a thiapyrylium: the above-cited compound No. II-(29)]

In 150 ml of acetone was dispersed 1.4 g of the pyrylium [compound No. II-(45)]obtained in Preparation Example 2. A solution of 1 g of sodium sulfide in 10 ml of water was added thereto. The mixture was stirred for 2 minutes and further for 1 hour with 15 ml of 20% aqueous perchloric acid and 150 ml of water. After standing, the resulting precipitate was filtered off and recrystallized from a 1:1 acetic acid-acetic anhydride mixture, thus giving 1.1 g of a dye; m. p. 277°-281.5° C.

Analysis for C₂₇ H₂₄ O₄ NClS:

Calcd (%): C 65.64, H 4.91, S 6.49,

Found (%): C 65.88, H 4.84, S 6.56.

In Formula (4): Z₄₃ and Z₄₄ each represent sulfur, oxygen, or selenium; Z₄₁ represents a hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a pyrylium, thiayprylium, selenapyrylium, benzopyrylium, benzothiapyrylium, benzoselenapyrylium, naphthopyrylium, naphthothiapyrylium, or naphthoselenapyrylium ring which may be substituted or not; and Z₄₂ represents a hydrocarbon residue necessary to complete a pyrane, thiapyrane, selenapyrane, benzopyrane, benzothiapyrane, benzoselenapyrane, naphthopyrane, naphthothiapyrane, or naththoseleapyrane ring which may be substituted or not. Suitable substituents on these rings include halogens (e.g. chlorine, bromine, and fluorine), alkyls (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, and dodecyl), alkoxyls (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, amyloxy, hexoxy, and octoxy), aryls (e.g. phenyl, α-naphthyl, and β-naphthyl), and substituted aryls (e.g. tolyl, xylyl, biphenyl, ethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, amyloxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, diethoxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, nitrophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, and dibenzylaminophenyl).

R₄₁, R₄₂, R₄₃, and R₄₄ each represent hydrogen, alkyl particularly a C₁ -C₁₅ alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, or dodecyl), aryl (e.g. phenyl, α-naphthyl, or β-naphthyl), or substituted aryl (e.g. tolyl, xylyl, biphenyl, ethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, amyloxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, diethoxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, nitrophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, or dibenzylaminophenyl).

R₄₅, R₄₆, and R₄₇ each represent hydrogen, halogen (e.g. chlorine, bromine, or fluorine), alkyl or substituted alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hydroxyethyl, methoxyethyl, or carboxypropyl), aryl or substituted aryl (e.g. phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, hydroxyphenyl, carboxyphenyl, α-naphthyl, or β-naphthyl), or aralkyl or substituted aralkyl (e.g. benzyl, phenethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, methoxybenzyl, or methylbenzyl).

X.sup.⊖ represents an anion (e.g. perchlorate, fluoroborate, iodide, chloride, bromide, sulfate, periodate, or p-toluene-sulfonate anion).

The letters f and h are each 1 or 2 and g is 0, 1, or 2. When g is 2, the two R₄₅ may be the same or different and the two R₄₆ may be the same or different.

Typical pyrylium dyes represented by Formula (4) are as follows:

    __________________________________________________________________________     Compound No.                                                                           Chemical Formula                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     III-(1)                                                                                 ##STR102##                                                            III-(2)                                                                                 ##STR103##                                                            III-(3)                                                                                 ##STR104##                                                            III-(4)                                                                                 ##STR105##                                                            III-(5)                                                                                 ##STR106##                                                            III-(6)                                                                                 ##STR107##                                                            III-(7)                                                                                 ##STR108##                                                            III-(8)                                                                                 ##STR109##                                                            III-(9)                                                                                 ##STR110##                                                            III-(10)                                                                                ##STR111##                                                            III-(11)                                                                                ##STR112##                                                            III-(12)                                                                                ##STR113##                                                            III-(13)                                                                                ##STR114##                                                            III-(14)                                                                                ##STR115##                                                            III-(15)                                                                                ##STR116##                                                            III-(16)                                                                                ##STR117##                                                            III-(17)                                                                                ##STR118##                                                            III-(18)                                                                                ##STR119##                                                            III-(19)                                                                                ##STR120##                                                            III-(20)                                                                                ##STR121##                                                            III-(21)                                                                                ##STR122##                                                            III-(22)                                                                                ##STR123##                                                            III-(23)                                                                                ##STR124##                                                            III-(24)                                                                                ##STR125##                                                            __________________________________________________________________________

These compounds can be prepared, according to a method described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,983.

In Formula (5), which represents polymethine dyes, A, B, D, and E each represent aryl or substituted aryl (e.g. phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, ethylphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, trichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, nitrophenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dipropylaminophenyl, dibenzylaminophenyl, or diphenylaminophenyl); R₅₁, R₅₂, R₅₃, R₅₄, and R₅₅ each represent hydrogen, halogen (e.g. chlorine or bromine), or alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or amyl); Y represents a divalent residue (e.g. ethylene, propylene, or o-phenylene) necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring; and X.sup.⊖ represents an anion (e.g. perchlorate, fluoroborate, iodide, chloride, bromide, or p-toluenesulfonate anion).

Typical polymethine dyes represented by Formula (5) are shown below.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Compound No.                                                                           Chemical Formula                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     IV-(1)                                                                                  ##STR126##                                                            IV-(2)                                                                                  ##STR127##                                                            IV-(3)                                                                                  ##STR128##                                                            IV-(4)                                                                                  ##STR129##                                                            IV-(5)                                                                                  ##STR130##                                                            IV-(6)                                                                                  ##STR131##                                                            IV-(7)                                                                                  ##STR132##                                                            IV-(8)                                                                                  ##STR133##                                                            IV-(9)                                                                                  ##STR134##                                                            IV-(10)                                                                                 ##STR135##                                                            IV-(11)                                                                                 ##STR136##                                                            IV-(12)                                                                                 ##STR137##                                                            IV-(13)                                                                                 ##STR138##                                                            IV-(14)                                                                                 ##STR139##                                                            IV-(15)                                                                                 ##STR140##                                                            IV-(16)                                                                                 ##STR141##                                                            IV-(17)                                                                                 ##STR142##                                                            IV-(18)                                                                                 ##STR143##                                                            IV-(19)                                                                                 ##STR144##                                                            IV-(20)                                                                                 ##STR145##                                                            IV-(21)                                                                                 ##STR146##                                                            IV-(22)                                                                                 ##STR147##                                                            IV-(23)                                                                                 ##STR148##                                                            IV-(24)                                                                                 ##STR149##                                                            IV-(25)                                                                                 ##STR150##                                                            IV-(26)                                                                                 ##STR151##                                                            __________________________________________________________________________

These polymethine dyes can be prepared according to a method described in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 8149/1981.

In Formula (6), which represents polymethine dyes, R₆₁, R₆₂, R₆₃, R₆₄, and R₆₅ each represent hydrogen, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-amyl, t-amyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, or t-octyl), substituted alkyl (e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 2-acetoxyethyl, carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, 3-carboxypropyl, 2-sulfoethyl, 3-sulfopropyl, 4-sulfobutyl, 3-sulfatepropyl, 4-sulfatebutyl, N-(methylsulfonyl)carbamylmethyl, 3-(acetylsulfamyl)propyl, or 4-(acetylsulfamyl)butyl), cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclohexyl), alkenyl (e.g. allyl(CH₂ ═CH--CH₂ --)), aralkyl (e.g. benzyl, phenethyl, α-naphthyl, or β-naphthyl), substituted aralkyl (e.g. carboxybenzyl, sulfobenzyl, or hydroxybenzyl), aryl or substituted aryl (e.g. phenyl, naphthyl, tolyl, xylyl, methoxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, trimethoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dipropylaminophenyl, dibenzylaminophenyl, or diphenylaminophenyl), substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic residue (e.g. pyridyl, quinolyl, lepidyl, methylpyridyl, furyl, thienyl, indolyl, pyrrolyl, carbazolyl, or N-ethylcarbazolyl), or styryl or substituted styryl (e.g. methoxystyryl, dimethoxystyryl, trimethoxystyryl, ethoxystyryl, dimethylaminostyryl, diethylaminostyryl, dipropylaminostyryl, dibenzylaminostyryl, diphenylaminostyryl, 2,2-diphenylvinyl, 2-phenyl-2-methylvinyl, 2-dimethylaminophenyl-2-phenylvinyl, 2-diethylaminophenyl-2-phenylvinyl, 2-dibenzylaminophenyl-2-phenylvinyl, 2,2-di(diethylaminophenyl)vinyl, 2,2-di(methoxyphenyl)vinyl, 2,2-di(ethoxyphenyl)vinyl, 2-dimethylaminophenyl-2-methylvinyl, or 2-diethylaminophenyl-2-ethylvinyl); i is 0 or 1, j is 0, 1, or 2; and X.sup.⊖ represents an anion (e.g. chloride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, or propylsulfate anion).

Typical examples of the polymethine compounds represented by Formula (6) are given below.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Compound No.                                                                           Chemical Formula                                                       __________________________________________________________________________     V-(1)                                                                                   ##STR152##                                                            V-(2)                                                                                   ##STR153##                                                            V-(3)                                                                                   ##STR154##                                                            V-(4)                                                                                   ##STR155##                                                            V-(5)                                                                                   ##STR156##                                                            V-(6)                                                                                   ##STR157##                                                            V-(7)                                                                                   ##STR158##                                                            V-(8)                                                                                   ##STR159##                                                            V-(9)                                                                                   ##STR160##                                                            V-(10)                                                                                  ##STR161##                                                            V-(11)                                                                                  ##STR162##                                                            V-(12)                                                                                  ##STR163##                                                            V-(13)                                                                                  ##STR164##                                                            V-(14)                                                                                  ##STR165##                                                            V-(15)                                                                                  ##STR166##                                                            V-(16)                                                                                  ##STR167##                                                            V-(17)                                                                                  ##STR168##                                                            V-(18)                                                                                  ##STR169##                                                            V-(19)                                                                                  ##STR170##                                                            V-(20)                                                                                  ##STR171##                                                            __________________________________________________________________________

These polymethine compounds can be readily prepared according to synthetic methods disclosed by Bernard S. Wildi et al. in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 80, 3772-3777 (1958), H. Schmidt et al. in Ann., 623, 204-216, and R. Wizinger et al. in Helv. Chim. Acta., 24, 369, etc.

In formula (7), which represents cyanine dyes, Z₇₁ and Z₇₂ each represent a nonmetal atomic group necessary to complete a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring substituted or unsubstituted, such as a thiazole family ring (e.g. thiazole, 4-methylthiazole, 4-phenylthiazole, 5-methylthiazole, 5-phenylthiazole, 4,5-dimethylthiazole, 4,5-diphenylthiazole, or 4-(2-thienyl) thiazole), benzothiazole family ring (e.g. benzothiazole, 5-chlorobenzothiazole, 5-methylbenzothiazole, 6-methylbenzothiazole, 5,6-dimethylbenzothiazole, 5-bromobenzothiazole, 5-phenylbenzothiazole, 5-methoxybenzothiazole, 6-methoxybenzathiazole, 5,6-dimethoxybenzothiazole, 5,6-hydroxymethylbenzothiazole, 5-hydroxybenzothiazole, 6-hydroxybenzothiazole, or 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole), naphthothiazole family ring (e.g. naphtho (2,1-d) thiazole, naphtho (1,2-d) thiazole, 5-methoxynaphtho (1,2-d) thiazole, 5-ethoxynaphtho (1,2-d) thiazole, 8-methoxynaphtho (2,1-d) thiazole, or 7-methoxynaphtho (2,1-d) thiazole), thianaphthene family ring (e.g. 7-methoxythianaphthene (7,6-d) thiazole), oxazole family ring (e.g. 4-methyloxazole, 5-methyloxazole, 4-phenyloxazole, 4,5-diphenyloxazole, 4-ethyloxazole, 4,5-dimethyloxazole, or 5-phenyloxazole), benzoxazole family ring (e.g. benzoxazole, 5-chlorobenzoxazole, 5-methylbenzoxazole, 5-phenylbenzoxazole, 6-methylbenzoxazole, 5,6-dimethylbenzoxazole, 5-methoxybenzoxazole, 6-methoxybenzoxazole, 5-hydroxybenzoxazole, or 6-hydroxybenzoxazole), naphthoxazole family ring (e.g. naphtho [2,1-d] oxazole or naphtho [1,2-d] oxazole), selenazole family ring (e.g. 4-methylselenazole or 4-phenylselenazole), benzoselenazole family ring (e.g. benzoselenazole, 5-chlorobenzoselenazole, 5-methylbenzoselenazole, 5,6-dimethylbenzoselenazole, 5-methoxybenzoselenazole, 5-methyl-6-methoxybenzoselenazole,5,6-dihydroxymethylbenzoselenazole, 5-hydroxybenzoselenazole, or 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroselenazole), naphthoselenazole family ring (e.g. naphtho [2,1-d] selenazole or naphtho [1,2-d] selenazole), thiazoline family ring (e.g. thiazoline, 4-methylthiazoline, 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methylthiazoline, or 4,4-dihydroxymethylthiazoline), oxazoline family ring (e.g. oxazoline), selenazoline family ring (e.g. selenazoline), 2-quinolyl family ring (e.g. quinoline, 6-methylquinoline, 6-chloroquinoline, 6-methoxyquinoline, 6-ethoxyquinoline, or 6-hydroxyquinoline), 4-quinolyl family ring (e.g. quinoline, 6-methoxyquinoline, 7-methylquinolinc, or 8-methylquinoline), 1-isoquinolyl family ring (e.g. isoquinoline or 3,4-dihydroxyisoquinoline), 3-isoquinolyl family ring (e.g. isoquinoline), 3,3-dialkylindolenine family ring (e.g. 3,3-dimethylindolenine, 3,3-dimethyl-5-chloroindolenine, 3,3,5-trimethylindolenine, or 3,3,7-trimethylindolenine), pyridine family ring (e.g. pyridine or 5-methylpyridine), or benzimidazole family ring (e.g. 1-ethyl-5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole, 1-hydroxyethyl-5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-chlorobenzoimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-dibromobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-phenylbenzimidizole, 1-ethyl-5-fluorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl5-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-(β-acetoxyethyl)-5-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-chloro-6 - cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-fluoro-6-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-acetylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-carboxybenzimidazole, 1-ethyl5-ethoxycarbonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-sulfamylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-N-ethylsulfamylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-difluorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-dicyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-ethylsulfonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-methylsulfonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylsulfonylbenzimidazole, or 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylsulfinylbenzimidazole).

A₁ and A₂ each represent a divalent hydrocarbon residue (e.g. --CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --, ##STR172## or --CH═CH--) necessary to form a substituted or unsubstituted 5- or 6-membered ring, which is condensed or not with a benzene ring, naphthalene ring, or the like.

R₇₁ and R₇₂ each represent hydrogen, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-amyl, t-amyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, or t-octyl), substituted alkyl (e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 2-acetoxyethyl, carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, 3-carboxypropyl, 2-sulfoethyl, 3-sulfopropyl, 4-sulfobutyl, 3-sulfatepropyl, 4-sulfatebutyl, N-(methylsulfonyl)carbomylmethyl, 3-acethylsulfamylpropyl, or 4-acetylsulfamylbutyl), cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclohexyl), alkenyl (e.g. allyl (CH₂ ═CH--CH₂ --)), aralkyl (e.g. benzyl, phenethyl, α-naphthylmethyl, or β-naphthylmethyl), or substituted aralkyl (e.g. carboxybenzyl, sulfobenzyl, or hydroxybenzyl).

R₇₃ and R₇₄ each represent hydrogen or halogen (e.g. chlorine, bromine, or iodine).

X.sup.⊖ represents an anion (e.g. chloride, bromide, iodide, perchlorate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, methylsufate, ethylsulfate, or propylsulfate anion). However, X.sup.⊖ is not contained in Formula (7) when R₇₁ or R₇₂ itself has an anion (e.g. --SO₃.sup.⊖, OSO₃.sup.⊖, --COO.sup.⊖, So₂.sup.⊖ NH--, --SO₂ N.sup.⊖ --CO--, --SO₂ --N.sup.⊖ --SO₂ --. The letters m and k are each 0 or 1, and l is 1 or 2.

Typical examples of the cyanine compounds represent by Formula (7) are shown below. ##STR173##

These compounds can be prepared according to a method described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,734,900.

In Formula (8), which represents cyanine dyes, Z₈₁ and Z₈₂ each represent a nonmetal atomic group necessary to complete a substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring such as a thiazole family ring (e.g. thiazole, 4-methylthiazole, 4-phenylthiazole, 5-methylthiazole, 5-phenylthiazole, 4,5-dimethylthiazole, 4,5-diphenylthiazole, or 4-(2-thienyl)thiazole), benzothiazole family ring (e.g. benzothiazole, 5-chlorobenzothiazole, 5-methylbenzothiazole, 6-methylbenzothiazole, 5,6dimethylbenzothiazole, 5-bromobenzothiazole, 5-phenylbenzothiazole, 5-methoxybenzothiazole, 6-methoxybenzothiazole, 5,6-dimethoxybenzothiazole, 5,6-dihydromethylbenzothiazole, 5-hydroxybenzothiazole, 6-hydroxybenzothiazole, or 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzothiazole), naphthothiazole family ring (e.g. naphtho (2,1-d) thiazole, naphtho(1,2-d) thiazole, 5-methoxynaphtho(1,2-d)thiazole, 5-ethoxynaphtho(1,2-d)thiazole, 8-methoxynaphtho(2,1-d) thiazole, or 7-methoxynaphtho(2,1-d)thiazole), thionaphthene(7,6-d)thiazole family ring (e.g. 7-methoxythionaphthene(7,6-d)thiazole), oxazole family ring (e.g. 4-methyloxazole, 5-methyloxazole, 4-phenyloxazole, 4,5-diphenyloxazole, 4-ethyloxazole, 4,5-dimethyloxazole, or 5-phenyloxazole), benzoxazole family ring (e.g. benzoxazole, 5-chlorobenzoxazole, 5-methylbenzoxazole, 5-phenylbenzoxazole, 6-methylbenzoxazole, 5,6-dimethylbenzoxazole, 5-methoxybenzoxazole, 6-methoxybenzoxazole, 5-hydroxybenzoxazole, or 6-hydroxybenzoxazole), naphthoxazole family ring (e.g. naphto[2,1-d]oxazole or naphtho[1,2-d]oxazole), selenazole family ring (e.g. 4-methylselenazole or 4-phenylselenazole), benzoselenazole family ring (e.g. benzoselenazole, 5-chlorobenzoselenazole, 5-methylbenzoselenazole, 5,6-dimethylbenzoselenazole, 5-methoxybenzoselenazole, 5-methyl-6-methoxybenzoselenazole, 5,6-dihydroxymethylbenzoselenazole, 5-hydroxybenzoselenazole, or 4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzoselenazole), naphthoselenazole family ring (e.g. naphtho(2,1-d)selenazole or naphtho(1,2-d)selenazole), thiazoline family ring (e.g. thiazoline, 4-methylthiazoline, 4-hydroxymethyl-4-methylthiazoline, or 4,4-dihydroxymethylthiazoline), oxazoline family ring (e.g. oxazoline), selenazoline family ring (e.g. selenazoline), 2-quinolyl family ring (e.g. quinoline, 6-methylquinoline, 6-chloroquinoline, 6-methoxyquinoline, 6-ethoxyquinoline, or 6-hydroxyquinoline), 4-quinolyl family ring (e.g. quinoline, 6-methoxyquinoline, 7-methylquinoline, or 8-methylquinoline), 1-isoquinolyl family ring (e.g. isoquinoline or 3,4-dihydroxyisoquinoline), 3-isoquinolyl family ring (e.g. isoquinoline), 3,3-dialkylindolenine family ring (e.g. 3,3-dimethylindolenine, 3,3-dimethyl-5-chloroindolenine, 3,3,5-trimethylindolenine, or 3,3,7-trimethylindolenine), pyridine family ring (e.g. pyridine or 5-methylpyridine), or benzimidazole family ring (e.g. 1-ethyl-5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole, 1-hydroxyethyl-5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-chlorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-dibromobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-phenylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5fluorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-(β-acetoxyethyl)-5-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-chloro-6-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-fluoro-6-cyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-acetylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-carboxybenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-ethoxycabonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-sulfamylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-N-ethylsulfamylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-difluorobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5,6-dicyanobenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-ethylsulfonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-methylsulfonylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylbenzimidazole, 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylsulfonylbenzimidazole, or 1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethylsulfinylbenzimidazole).

Z₈₃ represents a divalent hydrocarbon residue (e.g. --CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH₂ --CH₂ --CH₂ --, --CH═CH--, or --CH═CH--CH₂ --) necessary to complete a 5- or 6-membered ring, which is condensed or not with a benzene ring, naphthalene ring, or the like.

R₈₁ and R₈₂ each represent hydrogen, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, n-amyl, t-amyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, or t-octyl), substituted alkyl (e.g. 2-hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 2-acetoxyethyl, carboxymethyl, 2-carboxyethyl, 3-carboxypropyl, 2-sulfoethyl, 3-sulfopropyl, 4-sulfobutyl, 3-sulfatepropyl, 4-sulfatebutyl, N-(methylsulfonyl)carbamylmethyl, 3-(acetylsulfamyl)propyl, or 4-(acetylsulfamyl)butyl), cycloalkyl (e.g. cyclohexyl), alkenyl (e.g. allyl (Ch₂ ═CH--CH₂ --)), aralkyl (e.g. benzyl, phenethyl, α-naphthylmethyl, or β-naphthylmethyl), or substituted aralkyl (e.g. carboxybenzyl, sulfobenzyl, or hydroxybenzyl).

Q represents oxygen, sulfur, imino, or substituted imino (e.g. methylimino, ethylimino, propylimino, butylimino, or benzylimino), or organic divalent residue, ##STR174## wherein R₈₃, R₈₄ and R₈₅ each represent hydrogen or alkyl (similar as cited above referring to R₈₁ and R₈₂).

The letters s, t, and r are each 0 or 1 and p and q are each 0, 1, or 2.

Typical examples of the cyanine dyes represented by Formula (8) are given below. ##STR175##

These cyanine compounds can be readily obtained by condensation a cyclic ketone such as indan-2-one, cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, cyclohexene-one, cyclopentadiene-one, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphtalene2-one with dicyanomethane, barbituric acid or its derivative, or rhodanine or its derivative, and reacting the condensation product with a benzothiazolium salt, benzoxazolium salt, quinolium salt, or naphthothiazolium salt, these salts being generally in use in the field of cyanine chemistry.

In Formula (9), which represents pyrylium dyes, Z₉₃ and Z₉₄ each represent sulfur, oxygen, or selenium; Z₉₁ represents an atomic group necessary to complete a pyrylium, thiapyrylium, selenapyrylium, benzopyrylium, benzothiapyrylium, benzoselenapyrylium, naphthopyrylium, naphthothiapyrylium, or naphthoselenapyrylium ring which may be substituted or not; and Z₉₂ represents an atomic group necessary to complete a pyrane, thiapyrane, selenayrane, benzopyrane, benzothiapyrane, benzoselenapyrane, naphthopyrane, naphthothiapyrane, or naphthoselenapyrane ring which may be substituted or not. Suitable substituents on these rings include alkyls (e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, n-amyl, t-amyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, t-octyl, and 2-ethylhexyl), alkoxyls (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, and butoxy), aryls and substituted aryls (e.g. phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, biphenyl, ethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, diethoxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, nitrophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, and dibenzylaminophenyl), styryl, substituted styryls (e.g. methoxystyryl, dimethoxystyryl, ethoxystyryl, diethoxystyryl, and dimethylaminostyryl), 4-phenyl1,3-butadienyl, substituted 4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyls (e.g. 4-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,3-butadienyl and 4-(p-diethylaminophenyl)-1,3-butadienyl), and heterocyclic residues (e.g. 3-carbazolyl, 9-methyl3-carbazolyl, 9-ethyl-3-carbazolyl, and 9-carbazolyl).

A₃.sup.⊖ represents ##STR176##

R₉₁, R₉₂, R₉₃ and R₉₄ each represent hydrogen, alkyl, particularly Cl-C₁₅ alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, amyl, isoamyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, or dodecyl), alkoxyl (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, amyloxy, hexoxy, or octoxy), aryl (e.g. phenyl, α-naphthyl, or β-naphthyl), substituted aryl (e.g. tolyl, xylyl, biphenyl, ethylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, ethoxyphenyl, amyloxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, diethoxyphenyl, hydroxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, bromophenyl, dibromophenyl, nitrophenyl, diethylaminophenyl, dimethylaminophenyl, or dibenzylaminophenyl), styryl, substituted styryl (e.g. methoxystyryl, dimethoxystyryl, ethoxystyryl, diethoxystyryl, dimethylaminostyryl, or diethylaminostyryl), 4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl, substituted 4-phenyl-1,3-butadienyl (e.g. 4-(p-dimethylaminophenyl)-1,3-butadienyl or 4-(p-diethylaminophenyl)-1,3-butadienyl), or substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic residue (e.g. 3-carbazolyl, 9-methyl-3-carbazolyl, 9-ethyl-3-carbazolyl, or 9-carbazolyl), where R₉₁ coupled with R₉₂ and R₉₃ coupled with R₉₄ can form each a substituted or unsubstituted benzene ring. The letters v and w are each 1 or 2.

Typical examples of the pyrylium dyes represented by Formula (9) are as follows: ##STR177##

These compounds can be readily obtained, for instance, by reacting a pyrylium salt represented by the formula ##STR178## (Z₉₃ is as defined above and Z.sup.⊖ represents an anion such as a perchlorate, fluoroborate, sulfoacetate, iodide, or bromide anion) with 3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione, croconic acid, or its derivative (e.g. mono- or di-alkyl croconate) in a solvent.

2-Methyl-4,6-diphenylpyrylium salt, represented by the above formula, can be prepared, for instance, according to the method of Schneider et al. reported in Ber., 54, 2289 (1921) and 2-methyl-4,6-diphenylthiopyrylium salt according to the method of Wizinger et al. reported in Helv. Chim. Acta., 39, 221 (1956). Besides these pyrylium salts, it is possible to use, as a starting material of the preparation, known pyrylium salts having an active methyl group, such as 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylthiapyrylium salt, which has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,983.

While a wide variety of organic solvents can be used for this reaction, preferred ones are alcohols such as ethanol, butanol, and benzyl alcohol; nitriles such as acetonitrile and propionitrile; carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, and acid anhydrides such as acetic anhydride. An aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzene may also be used in mixture with butanol, benzyl alcohol, or the like.

Amounts of pyrylium salt used are 1.0-5.0, preferably 1.5-3.0, moles equivalent per mole of 3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione or crocontic acid. The reaction solvent is used in amounts of 0.5-100 ml, preferably 2-10 ml, for lg of the whole raw material.

The reaction is carried out at temperatures of 25°-100° C., preferably 60°-140° C., for 5 minutes-30 hours, preferably 20 minutes-5 hours.

To promote the reaction, a base can be added, including, for example, triethylamine, pyridine, quinoline, or sodium acetate.

Synthesis of typical compounds represented by Formula (9) is illustrated referring to Preparation Examples 4 and 5.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 4 Synthesis of compound No. VIII-(7)

A solution was prepared by heating 1.2 g (0.0105 mole) of 3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione and 36 ml of n-butanol up to 100° C. while stirring in a 100 ml, three-necked flask. To the solution were added in succession 3 ml of quinoline, 7.3 g (0.0211 mole) of 2-methyl-4,6-diphenylpyrylium perchlorate, and 15 ml of benzene to start the reaction. The reaction was continued for 3.5 hours at 95°-110° C. while adding in parts 30 ml of benzene and 20 ml of butanol and removing water by azeotropic distillation. The reaction mixture was cooled and filtered with suction. The filter cake was washed with 30 ml of butanol to give a crude dye. It was rinsed five times with 200 ml each of boiling methanol and then twice with 100 ml each of boiling tetrahydrofuran, giving 1.9 g of compound No. VIII-(7); yield 31.7%, m.p. 255°-258° C.

Analysis for C₄₀ H₂₆ O₄ :

Calcd. (%): C 84.18, H 4.60,

Found (%): C 84.02, H 4.76.

Visible-to-infrared ray absorption spectrum in dimethylformamide:

λmax 910 nm, 815 nm

ε 6.6×10⁴, 6.2×10⁴

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of compound No. VIII-(5)

A solution was prepared by heating 1.0 g (0.0088 mole) of 3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclobutene-1,2-dione and 50 ml of n-butanol up to 100° C. while stirring in a 100 ml, three-necked flask. To the solution were added in succession 2.5 ml of quinoline, 6.36 g (0.0176 mole) of 2-methyl-4,6-diphenylthiapyrylium perchlorate, and 10 ml of benzene to start reaction. The reaction was continued for 3 hours at 95°-110° C. while adding in parts 30 ml of benzene and 10 ml of n-butanol and removing water by azeotropic distillation.

The reaction mixture was allowed to stand overnight and filtered with suction. The cake was washed with 30 ml of n-butanol to give a crude dye. It was rinsed five times with 200 ml each of boiling methanol and then twice with 100 ml each of boiling tetrahydrofuran, giving 1.36 g of compound No. VIII-(5); yield 25.7%, m.p. 232.5°-235° C.

Analysis for C₄₀ H₂₆ O₂ S₂ :

Calcd. (%): C 79.70, H 4.36, S 10.64,

Found (%): C 79.59, H 4.45, S 10.69.

Visible-to-infrared ray absorption spectrum in dimethyl formamide:

λmax : 975 nm 885 nm

ε:5.13×10⁴, 5.29×10⁴

The pyrylium type compounds according to the present invention can be used also in the form of cocrystalline complex with a polymer having repeating units of alkylidene diarylene. Such polymers can be represented by the formula ##STR179## wherein; R₆ and R₇ each represent hydrogen, alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, t-butyl, amyl, hexyl, octyl, nonyl, or decyl), substituted alkyl (e.g. trifluoromethyl), aryl (e.g. phenyl or naphthyl), or substituted aryl (e.g. tolyl, xylyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, amylphenyl, chlorophenyl, dichlorophenyl, or bromophenyl), R₆ and R₇ being allowed to form cojointly a cycloalkane such as cyclohexyl or a polycycloalkane such as norbornyl; R₅ and R₈ each represent hydrogen, Cl-C₅ alkyl, or halogen (e.g. chlorine, bromine, or iodine); and R₉ represents a divalent residue selected from the group consisting of ##STR180##

Typical examples of these polymers are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Polymer No.                                                                               Polymer name                                                        ______________________________________                                          1.                                                                                        ##STR181##                                                                    1,4-cyclohexyl-dimethyl carbonate)                                   2.        Poly(3,3'-ethylenedioxyphenylene                                               thiocarbonate)                                                       3.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene                                             ##STR182##                                                          4.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene                                            carbonate)                                                           5.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene                                            thiacarbonate)                                                       6.        Poly[2,2-butanebis(4-phenylene)carbonate]                            7.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene                                            carbonate-block-ethyleneoxide)                                       8.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene                                            carbonate-block-tetramethyleneoxide)                                 9.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenebis(2-methyl-                                          phenylene)carbonate)                                                10.                                                                                        ##STR183##                                                                    1,4-phenylene carbonate)                                                        ##STR184##                                                                    1,3-phenylene carbonate)                                                        ##STR185##                                                                    4,4'-diphenylene carbonate)                                                     ##STR186##                                                                    4,4'-oxydiphenylene carbonate)                                                  ##STR187##                                                                    4,4'-carboxyldiphenylene carbonate)                                             ##STR188##                                                                    4,4'-ethylenediphenylene carbonate)                                 16.        Poly(4,4'-methylenebis(2-methylphenylene)-                                     carbonate)                                                          17.        Poly(1,1-(p-bromophenylethane)bis(4-                                           phenylene)carbonate)                                                            ##STR189##                                                                    sulfonylbis(4-phenylene)carbonate)                                  19.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenebis(2-chloro-                                          phenylene)carbonate)                                                20.        Poly(hexafluoroisopropylidenebis(4-                                            phenylene)carbonate)                                                21.        Poly(4,4' -isopropylidenediphenylene                                           4,4,-isopropylidenedibenzoate)                                      22.        Poly(4,4'-isopropylidenedibenzyl 4,4'-                                         isopropylidenedibenzoate)                                           23.        Poly(2,2-(3-methylbutane)bis(4-phenylene)-                                     carbonate)                                                          24.        Poly(2,2-(3,3-dimethylbutane)bis(4-                                            phenylene)carbonate)                                                25.        Poly(1,1-(1-naphthyl)bis(4-phenylene)-                                         carbonate)                                                          26.        Poly(2,2-(4-methylpentane)bis(4-phenylene)-                                    carbonate)                                                          ______________________________________                                    

Co-crystalline complexes of the pyrylium type compound with these polymers can be obtained according to methods disclosed in, for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,502 and Austral. Patent Laid-Open No. 87757/1975, respectively. As an example, such a complex can be prepared by dissolving said pyrylium type compound and polymer in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent (dichloromethane) and adding a non-halogenated, nonpolar solvent (e.g. hexane, octane, decane, ligroin, or toluene) to precipate the complex.

In Formula (10), R₂₁ and R₂₂ represent each alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl) or R₂₁ and R₂₂ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached form a ring residue such as morpholino, piperidino, or pyrrolidinyl; R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, and R₂₆ each represent hydrogen, halogen (e.g. chlorine, bromine, or iodine), alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, or butyl), alkoxyl (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, or butoxy), or hydroxyl, where combinations of R₂₃ and R₂₄ and combinations of R₂₅ and R₂₆ can each form a benzene ring.

Typical examples of the compounds represented by Formula (10) are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Compound                                                                       No.     Chemical Formula                                                       ______________________________________                                         IX-(1)                                                                                  ##STR190##                                                            IX-(2)                                                                                  ##STR191##                                                            IX-(3)                                                                                  ##STR192##                                                            IX-(4)                                                                                  ##STR193##                                                            IX-(5)                                                                                  ##STR194##                                                            IX-(6)                                                                                  ##STR195##                                                            IX-(7)                                                                                  ##STR196##                                                            IX-(8)                                                                                  ##STR197##                                                            ______________________________________                                    

A representative example of the processes for preparing these compounds is given below.

PREPARATION EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis of compound No. IX-(1)

A solution was prepared by mixing 10.6 g of N,N-dimethyl-m-aminophenol and 180 ml of n-buthanol in a three-necked flask. The solution, after addition of 5.0 g of croconic acid and 50 ml of benzene, was heated to react at 90°-100° C. for 1 hour while distilling off water. After cooling, the resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with 40 ml of n-butanol, three times with 200 ml of hot methyl Cellosolve, and with 200 ml of hot tetrahydrofuran. By drying the precipitate, 6.3 g of the objective product was obtained; yield 47%. An absorption spectrum thereof in dimethylformamide is shown in FIG. 2 (λ max=818 nm).

The optical recording medium of this invention has a structure, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. The recording medium shown in FIG. 4 can be prepared by forming an organic thin film 2 containing a dye represented by Formulae (1)-(10), on a substrate 1. The organic thin film 2 is formable by vacuum deposition of the dye or applying a coating liquid comprising the dye and a binder onto the substrate 1. In this case, the dye may be contained in the form of either dispersion or non-crystal, in the binder. Suitable binders of the dye can be selected from a wide variety of resins including, for example, cellulose esters such as nitrocellulose, cellulose phosphate, cellulose sulfate, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose myristate, cellulose palmitate, cellulose acetate-propionate, and cellulose acetate-butyrate; cellulose ethers such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, propyl cellulose, and butyl cellulose; vinyl type resins such as polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride), poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinyl butyral), poly(vinyl acetal), poly(vinyl alcohol), and polyvinylpyrrolidone; vinyl type copolymer resins such as styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymer, and vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer; acrylic resins such as poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(butyl acrylate), poly(acrylic acid), poly(methacrylic acid), polyacrylamide, and polyacrylonitrile; polyesters such as poly(ethylene terephthalate); polycarbonates and co-polyesters thereof such as poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene CO-1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene carbonate), poly(ethylenedioxy3,3'-phenylene thiocarbonate), poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene carbonate), poly(4,4'-sec-butylidenediphenylene carbonate), and poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene carbonate block-oxyethylene); polyarylates such as poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene terephthalate); polyamides; polyimides; epoxy resins; phenolic resins; and polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and chlorinated polyethylene.

While the organic solvent used for the coating varies depending upon the kind of binder and upon the form of the dye dispersed or non-crystal in the binder, generally the following solvents are suitable: alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and cyclohexanone; amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide; sulfoxides such as dimethylsulfoxide; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, and ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate; halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as chloroform, methylene chloride, dichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and ligroin; and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as monochlorobenzene and dichlorobenzene.

The coating can be accomplished by various methods including dip coating, spray coating, spinner coating, bead coating, Meyer bar coating, blade coating, roller coating, curtain coating, and the like.

The dye content in the film 2 ranges from 1 to 90%, preferably from 20 to 70%, by weight when forming the organic thin film 2 together with a binder. Dry thickness of the film 2 is up to 10 μ, preferably up to 2 μ.

The optical recording medium of this invention can be provided with a reflecting layer 3 between the substrate 1 and the organic thin film 2 , as shown in FIG. 5 This reflecting layer 3 may be a vapour deposition film or laminate film of reflective metal such as aluminum, silver, or chromium.

In the film 2, pits 5 can be formed, as shown in FIG. 6, by irradiation with a convergent laser beam 4. When depths of the pits 5 are made equivalent to the thickness of the film 2, an increased reflectance is obtained for the reading laser beam at the pit areas. If a laser beam having the same wavelength as the writing laser beam but a lower intensity is used for reading, the reading beam will be sufficiently absorbed at the pit-free areas while highly reflected at the pit areas. Another reading method is to use a laser beam that has a wavelength different from that of the real-time-writing laser beam highly absorbable by the film 2 and will be substantially transmitted by the film 2. The reading lasers are responsive to a change in the reflecting phase due to the difference of the film thickness between the pit areas and the pit-free areas.

Recording upon the optical recording medium of this invention can be accomplished by irradiating it with a gas laser such as the argon laser (wavelength 488 nm), helium-neon laser (wavelength 633 nm), or helium-cadmium laser (wavelength 442 nm). However, more suitable lasers are those of wavelengths 750 nm and more, particularly those having a wavelength in the near infrared region or infrared region, such as the gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser. Another method of forming pits is to irradiate the optical recording medium with a light beam including rays from various short-pulse emitting lamps such as xenon flash lamps and rays from infrared lamps or to bring a heater into contact with the recording medium.

Since pit areas of the recording medium are different in reflectance from pit-free areas thereof, a track of pits, for instance, is formed by scanning it with electromagnetic radiation and the resulting reflectance differences can be read with a photodetector by tracing the track with a low power laser.

The substrate constructing the optical recording medium of this invention, if information recording is carried out with a recording light beam (electromagnetic wave) incident on the substrate side, is desired to be transparent to the light beam. A substrate suitable in transparency for the wavelength or spectrum of a given recording light beam is desirable for improving the sensitivity, since various recording light beams are applicable including, as mentioned above, semiconductor lasers, argon gas laser, helium-neon gas laser, other lasers the wavelengths of which are in the region of visible to infrared rays, and various short-pulse emission lamps such as xenon flash lamps. Transparency acceptable of the substrate in this case is such that about 90% or more of the incident light is transmittable.

Substrates having adequate transparency to any of the above-mentioned rays of light are films or sheets of, for example, inorganic transparent materials such as glass; organic polymers such as polyester, polypropylene, polycarbonates, poly(vinyl chloride), polyamides, polystyrene, and poly(methyl methacrylate); and their modified polymers, copolymers, and blend polymers. When the surface smoothness of the substrate itself has a great influence on the S/N ratio as in the case of video disks, it is desirable to use a substrate coated with the above-cited polymer by means of a spinner coater or the like. Transparent substrate materials particularly preferred are polyesters and poly(methyl methacrylate).

On the contrary, when a recording light beam is incident on the opposite side of substrate, it is possible to use substrates, besides said transparent substrates, such as films or sheets prepared by adding dyes, pigments, or reinforcing agents to inorganic materials or to organic polymers and sheets of metals such as aluminum alloys.

According to this invention, the S/N ratio can be improved sufficiently and in addition a high intensity light beam such as a laser beam can be utilized more efficiently. Further, this invention permits recording by use of a laser beam having a wavelength of 750 nm or more.

This invention will be illustrated in more detail with reference to the following Examples, wherein parts and percentages are by weight:

EXAMPLE 1

A mixture of 3 parts of the croconic methine dye No. I-(29), 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (methyl ethyl ketone containing 25% of OH-less lacquer nitrocellulose, mfd. by Daicel Chem. Industries, Ltd.), and 110 parts of methyl ethyl ketone was ground in a ball mill for 2 hours. The resulting dispersion was applied onto a Pyrex glass substrate by dip coating and was dried at 100° for 2 hours to give a recording layer of 0.6 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 780 nm) converged to a spot size of 1.0 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a lower power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLE 2

A solution was prepared by thoroughly mixing 3 parts of the croconic methine dye No. I-(3) with 10 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1) and 120 parts of methyl Cellosolve. This solution was applied onto a Pyrex glass substrate by means of a spinner coater at 500 rpm so as to give a dry coating weight of 0.6 g/m². The coating was dried at 100° C. for 2 hours to form a recording layer. The resulting optical recording medium was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 1, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 3

A molybdenum boat containing 500 mg of the croconic methine dye No. I-(5) and a Pyrex glass substrate were placed in a vacuum chamber, which was then evacuated to 1×10⁻⁶ mmHg or less. The dye was heated to evaporate and deposit on the substrate while regulating the heater so as to keep the chamber pressure below 1×10⁻⁵ torr. The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 1, giving similar results.

EXAMPLES 4-7

Optical recording media each comprising a Pyrex substrate and a 0.6 g/m² recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except for using severally the croconic methine dyes Nos. I-(11), I-(14), I-(31), and I-(32) in place of the croconic methine dye No. I-(29). These optical recording media were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 1, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 8

An optical recording medium comprising a Pyrex substrate and a recording layer vapour-deposited was prepared in the same manner as in Example 3 except for using the croconic methine dye No. I-(20) in place of the croconic methine dye No. I-(5). This optical recording medium was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 1, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 9

A solution was prepared by mixing 3 parts of the thiopyrylium dye No. II-(9), 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 150 parts of tetrahydrofuran. The solution was applied onto a Pyrex glass substrate by means of a spinner coater at 500 rpm and was dried at 100° C. for 2 hours to form a recording layer of 0.7 g/m².

The resulting optical recording medium was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 830 nm) converged to a spot size of 0.8 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLE 10

A solution prepared by thorough mixing of 3 parts of the thiapyrylium dye No. II-(29), 10 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 100 parts of monochlorobenzene was applied onto a Pyrex glass substrate by means of a spinner coater at 500 rpm so as to give a dry coating weight of 0.6 g/m². The coating was dried at 100° C. for 2 hours to form a recording layer. The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 9, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 11

A molybdenum boat containing 500 mg of the thiapyrylium dye No. II-(3) and a Pyrex glass substrate were placed in a vacuum chamber, which was then evacuated to 1×10⁻⁶ mmHg or less. The dye was heated to evaporate and deposit on the substrate while regulating the heater so as to keep the chamber pressure below 1×10⁻⁵ torr. The optical recording medium thus obtained was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 9, giving similar results.

EXAMPLES 12-20

Optical recording media each comprising a Pyrex substrate and a 0.7 g/m² recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 9 except for using severally the naphthopyrylium dye No. II-(14), pyrylium dye No. II-(14), pyrylium dye No. II-(17), naphthothiapyrylium dye No. II-(24), thiapyrylium dye No. II-(30), selenapyrylium dye No. II-(27), thiapyrylium dye No. II-(36), thiapyrylium dye No. II-(38), thiapyrylium dye No. II-(43), and pyrylium dye No. II-(45) in place of the thiapyrylium dye No. II-(9). These optical recording media were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 9, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 21

A solution prepared by mixing 3 parts of the thiapyrylium dye No. III-(18), 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 150 parts of tetrahydrofuran was applied onto a Pyrex glass substrate by means of a spinner coater at 500 rpm and was dried at 100° C. for 2 hours to form a recording layer of 0.7 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 830 nm) converged to a spot size of 0.8 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLE 22

A solution was prepared by thoroughly mixing 3 parts of the benzopyrylium dye No. III-(12), 10 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 100 parts of monochlorobenzene, and was applied onto a Pyrex glass substrate by means a spinner coater at 500 rpm so as to give a dry coating weight of 0.6 g/m². The coating was dried at 100° C. for 2 hours to give a recording layer.

The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 21, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 23

A molybdenum boat containing 500 mg of the thiapyrylium dye No. III-(11) and a Pyrex glass substrate were placed in a vacuum chamber, which was then evacuated to 1×10⁻⁶ mmHg or less. The dye was heated to evaporate and deposit on the substrate while regulating the heater to keep the chamber pressure below 1×10⁻⁵ torr. The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 21, giving similar results.

EXAMPLES 24-27

Optical recording media each comprising a Pyrex substrate and a 0.7 g/m² recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 21 except for using the thiapyrylium dye No. III-(19), benzopyrylium dye No. III-(14), thiapyrylium dye No. III-(21), and thiapyrylium dye No. III-(22) in place of the thiapyrylium dye No. III-(18). These recording media were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 21, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 28

A solution was prepared by thoroughly mixing 3 parts of the polymethine dye No. IV-(10), 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 70 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. The solution was applied onto a Pyrex glass substrate by means of a spinner coater and was dried at 100° C. for 2 hours to form a recording layer of 0.6 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 780 nm) converged to a spot size of 1.0 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLES 29-33

Optical recording media each comprising a Pyrex substrate and a 0.6 g/m² recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 28 except for using the polymethine dyes Nos. IV-(3), IV-(11), IV-(17), IV-(22), and IV-(25) in place of the polymethine dye No. IV-(10). These optical recording media were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 28, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 34

A mixture of 3 parts of the polymethine compound No. V-(3), 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 70 parts of methyl ethyl ketone was thoroughly mixed in a ball mill. The resulting dispersion was applied by dip coating onto an aluminum layer vapour-deposited on a glass plate and was dried to form a recording layer of 0.6 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 780 nm) converged to a spot size of 1.0 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLES 35-39

Optical recording media each comprising an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass substrate and a recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 34 except that the polymethine compounds Nos. V-(5), V-(10), V-(14), V-(17), and V-(20) were used severally in place of the polymethine compound No. V-(3) but the coating weight when using the compound No. V-(14) was made 0.8 g/m². These recording media were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 34, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 40

A molybdenum boat containing 500 mg of the polymethine compound No. V-(1) and an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass plate were placed in a vacuum chamber, which was then evacuated to 1×10⁻⁶ mmHg or less. The compound was heated to evaporate and deposit to a thickness of 0.2 μ on the aluminum surface while regulating the heater to keep the chamber pressure below 1×10⁻⁵ mmHg. The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 34, giving similar results.

EXAMPLES 41 and 42

Optical recording media each comprising an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass substrate and a 0.2-μ recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 40 except for using severally the polymethine compounds Nos. V-(5) and V-(13) in place of the polymethine compound No. V-(1). The optical recording media thus prepared were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 34, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 43

A mixture of 3 parts of the cyanine compound No. VI-(1), 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 70 parts of methyl ethyl ketone was thoroughly mixed in a ball mill. The resulting dispersion was applied by dip coating onto an aluminum layer vapour-deposited on a glass plate, and was dried to form a recording layer of 0.6 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated was a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 780 nm) converged to a spot size of 1.0 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLES 44-47

Optical recording media each comprising an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass substrate and a recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 43 except for using the cyanine compounds Nos. VI-(6) (coating weight 0.6 g/m²), VI-(8) (coating weight 0.6 g/m²), VI-(10) (coating weight 0.7 g/m²) and VI-(12) (coating weight 0.8 g/m²) in place of the cyanine compound No. VI-(1). The same recording and reading tests of these recording media as in Example 43 gave similar results.

EXAMPLE 48

A molybdenum boat containing the cyanine compound No. VI-(6) and an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass plate were placed in a vacuum chamber, which was then evacuated to 1×10⁻⁶ mmHg or less. The compound was heated to evaporate and deposit to a thickness of 0 2 μ on the aluminum surface while regulating the heater to keep the chamber pressure below 1×10⁻⁵ mmHg.

The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 43, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 49

A mixture of 3 parts of the cyanine compound No. VII-(1), 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1), and 70 parts of methyl ethyl ketone was thoroughly mixed in a ball mill. The resulting dispersion was applied by dip coating onto an aluminum layer vapour-deposited on a glass plate and was dried to form a recording layer of 0.6 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 780 nm) converged to a spot size of 1.0 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLES 50-53

Optical recording media each comprising an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass substrate and a recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 49 except that the cyanine compounds Nos. VII-(6), VII-(7), VII-(12), and VII-(13) were used severally in place of the cyanine compound No. VII-(1) but the coating weight when using the compound No. VII-(12) was made 0.8 g/m². The recording media were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 49, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 54

A molybdenum boat containing 500 mg of the cyanine compound No. VII-(1) and an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass plate were placed in a vacuum chamber, which was then evacuated to 1×10⁻⁶ mmHg or less. The cyanine compound was heated to evaporate and deposit to a thickness of 0.2 μ on the aluminum surface while regulating the heater to keep the chamber pressure below 1×10⁻⁵ mmHg. The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 49, giving similar results.

EXAMPLE 55

Three parts of the pyrylium type dye No. VIII-(5) was thoroughly dispersed in a mixture of 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1) and 70 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. The dispersion was applied by dip coating onto an aluminum layer vapour-deposited on a glass plate and was dried to form a recording layer of 0.6 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 780 nm) converged to a spot size of 1.0 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLE 56

A molybdenum boat containing 500 mg of the pyrylium type dye No. VIII-(7) and an aluminum-vacuum-metallized glass plate were placed in a vacuum chamber, which was then evacuated to 1×10⁻⁶ mmHg or less. The dye was heated to evaporate and deposit to a thickness of 0.2 μ on the aluminum surface while regulating the heater to keep the chamber pressure below 1×10⁻⁵ mmHg.

The optical recording medium thus prepared was subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 55, giving similar results.

EXAMPLES 57-59

Optical recording media each consisting of an aluminum-vapour-deposited glass substrate and a 0.2 μ recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 56 but using severally the pyrylium type dyes Nos. VIII-(5), VIII-(13), and VIII-(15) in place of the pyrylium type dye No. VIII-(5).

The same recording and reading tests on these recording media as in Example 55 gave similar results.

EXAMPLE 60

In 100 ml of dichloromethane were dissolved 2.0 g of the pyrylium type compound No. VIII-(5) and 2.0 g of poly(4,4'-isopropylidenediphenylene carbonate) with stirring. A precipitate was formed by adding 50 g of toluene to the solution, and was redissolved by pouring a sufficient amount of dichloromethane into the mixture. The resulting solution separated violet-blue crystals on pouring 500 g of n-hexane thereinto with stirring. These crystals were filtered off and recrystallization thereof was repeated.

Using this co-crystalline complex in place of the compound No. VIII-(5), an optical recording medium was prepared in the same manner as in Example 55. The same recording and reading tests on this recording medium as in Example 55 gave similar results.

EXAMPLE 61

A solution of 1.5 parts of the compound No. IX-(1) in a mixture of 12 parts of a nitrocellulose solution (same as used in Example 1) and 30 parts of dimethylformamide was thoroughly mixed with 125 parts of cyclohexanone. The resulting mixture was applied by dip coating onto a Pyrex glass substrate and was dried at 100° C. for 2 hours to form a recording layer of 0.5 g/m².

The optical recording medium thus prepared was set on a turntable, and while rotating the turntable at a speed of 1800 rpm, the recording layer side was irradiated with a 5-mW, 8-MHz gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser (λ 780 nm) converged to a spot size of 1.0 μ, so as to form a spiral track of pits.

Distinct pits were noted as a result of observing the record-bearing surface of the optical disk with a scanning electron microscope. The track of pits was traced with a low power gallium-aluminum-arsenic semiconductor laser and the reflected light was detected, giving a wave pattern with a sufficient S/N ratio.

EXAMPLES 62-64

Optical recording media each consisting of a Pyrex glass substrate and a 0.5 g/m² recording layer were prepared in the same manner as in Example 61 except for using severally the compounds Nos. IX-(2), IX-(4), and IX-(6) in place of the compound No. IX-(1). These recording media were subjected to the same recording and reading tests as in Example 61, giving similar results. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical recording process comprising selectively irradiating an optical recording medium comprising a substrate and recording layer with a recording light beam to form pits on said recording layer, said recording layer having a thickness of 10 μ or less containing at least 1% by weight of at least one of the compounds represented by Formula I. ##STR198## wherein R₆₁, R₆₂, R₆₃, R₆₄ and R₆₅ are each hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, styryl, substituted styryl, heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic residue with the proviso that at lest one of R₆₁ and R₆₂ is diethylaminophenyl and at least one of R₆₃ and R₆₄ is diethylaminophenyl; wherein i is 0 or 1; j is 0, 1 or 2; and X(-) represents an anion.
 2. The recording process of claim 1 including employing a laser as said recording light beam.
 3. The recording process of claim 2 including employing a semiconductor laser, an argon gas laser or a helium-neon laser as said laser.
 4. The recording process of claim 2 including employing as said recording light beam a xenon flash.
 5. The recording process of claim 1, wherein the recording medium is scanned with a recording light beam along a track.
 6. The recording process of claim 1, wherein the recording light beam irradiates the recording layer side.
 7. The recording process of claim 1, wherein the recording light beam irradiates the substrate side.
 8. The recording process of claim 1, including employing a recording layer containing a binder and at least one of the compounds represented by the Formula (I).
 9. The recording process of claim 8, including employing as said binder at least one member selected from the group consisting of cellulose esters, cellulose ethers, vinyl type resins and copolymers thereof, acrylic resins, polyester resins, polycarbonates and copolyesters thereof, polyarylates, polymides, epoxy resins, phenolic resins and polyolefins.
 10. The recording process of claim 8, including employing a cellulose ester as said binder.
 11. The recording process of claim 8, including employing nitrocellulose as said binder.
 12. The recording process of claim 8, including employing an organic thin film having a dry thickness of 2 μ or less as said recording layer.
 13. The recording process of claim 1, including employing a reflecting layer between said substrate and said recording layer.
 14. The recording process of claim 13, including employing a vapor-deposited film or aluminum, silver or chromium as said reflecting layer.
 15. The recording process of claim 13, including employing a laminate film or aluminum, silver or chromium as said reflecting layer.
 16. The recording process of claim 1, including employing the step of forming the recording layer by vapor depositing a compound represented by the Formula (I).
 17. The recording process of claim 1, including employing optically-detectable pits.
 18. An optical recording and reproducing process comprising the steps of:selectively irradiating an optical recording medium comprising a substrate and a recording layer, said recording layer having a thickness of 10 μ or less and containing at least 1% by weight of at least one of compounds represented by Formula I ##STR199## wherein R₆₁, R₆₂, R₆₃, R₆₄ and R₆₅ are each hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, styryl, substituted styryl, heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic residue with the proviso that at least one of R₆₁ and R₆₂ is diethylaminophenyl; wherein i is 0 or 1; j is 0, 1 or 2; and X(-) represents an anion with a recording light beam to form optically detectable pits on said recording layer, thereby recording information, and illuminating said recording layer with a reading light to detect optical variation of pits, thereby reading out said information.
 19. The optical recording and reproducing process of claim 18, wherein said information is read out by detecting the light of said reading light reflected from said recording layer.
 20. An optical reproducing process comprising:illuminating an optical recording medium comprising a substrate and a recording layer with a reading light to read out information recorded on said recording layer in the form of optically detectable pits, said reading light detecting optical variation of said optically detectable pits and said recording layer having a thickness of 10 μ or less and containing at least 1% by weight of at least one of compounds represented by Formula I: ##STR200## wherein R₆₁, R₆₂, R₆₃, R₆₄ and R₆₅ are each hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, styryl, substituted styryl, heterocyclic or substituted heterocyclic residue with the proviso that at least one of R₆₁ and R₆₂ is diethylaminophenyl and at least one of R₆₃ and R₆₄ is diethylaminophenyl; wherein i is 0 or 1; j is 0, 1 or 2; and X(-) represents an anion.
 21. The optical recording process according to claim 1, wherein the content of the at least one compound of formula I in the recording layer is from 20 to 70% by weight. 